Transparent endoscope head defining a focal length

Abstract

A catheter configured for imaging objects substantially in focus is described herein. An imaging device is disposed on the distal end of the catheter. The imaging device has an effective focal plane that is located in front of the imaging device. The catheter also includes a transparent focal instrument that has an outer periphery that is positioned at the effective focal plane of the imaging device, to enable objects in contact with the outer periphery of the transparent focal instrument to be imaged substantially in focus.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A catheter configured for imaging objects substantially in focus, comprising:
 an imaging device disposed on a distal end of the catheter, the imaging device having an effective focal plane located in front of the imaging device; 
 a transparent focal instrument coupled to the imaging device, wherein the length of the transparent focal instrument is configured such that a distal end of the transparent focal instrument is positioned at the effective focal plane of the imaging device to enable a target object in contact with the outer periphery of the transparent focal instrument to be imaged substantially in focus; and 
 a positioning device disposed near a distal end of the catheter and configured to selectively position the transparent focal instrument in contact with the target object, wherein a distal end of the transparent focal instrument comprises a substantially planar surface substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the catheter and a side surface substantially parallel to a front surface of the catheter. 
 
     
     
       2. The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning device comprises an inflatable balloon. 
     
     
       3. The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the balloon is further disposed in a lateral facing direction directly opposite the field of view of the imaging device and the transparent focal instrument to selectively inflate in a lateral direction and position the transparent focal instrument in contact with the target object located aside the transparent focal instrument. 
     
     
       4. The catheter of  claim 3 , wherein the primary field of view of the imaging device is oriented in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the catheter. 
     
     
       5. The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the transparent focal instrument is solid. 
     
     
       6. The catheter of  claim 5 , wherein the transparent focal instrument is a glass or transparent polymer. 
     
     
       7. The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the imaging device comprises a solid state imaging device and wherein a proximal end of the transparent focal instrument is in direct contact with a top surface of the solid state imaging device. 
     
     
       8. The catheter of  claim 7 , wherein the proximal end of the transparent focal instrument comprises a substantially planar surface substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the catheter. 
     
     
       9. A catheter configured for imaging objects substantially in focus, comprising:
 an imaging device disposed on a distal end of the catheter, the imaging device having an effective focal plane located in front of the imaging device; 
 a transparent focal instrument coupled to the imaging device, wherein the length of the transparent focal instrument is configured such that a distal end of the transparent focal instrument is positioned at the effective focal plane of the imaging device to enable a target object in contact with the outer periphery of the transparent focal instrument to be imaged substantially in focus; and 
 a positioning device disposed near a distal end of the catheter and configured to selectively position the transparent focal instrument in contact with the target object, wherein a distal end of the transparent focal instrument comprises a substantially planar surface substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the catheter and a proximal end of the transparent focal instrument comprises a substantially planar surface substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the catheter. 
 
     
     
       10. The catheter of  claim 9 , wherein a side surface of the transparent focal instrument slopes downward and away from the distal end of the transparent focal instrument.